ZoneAlarm Pro 4.5
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CNET Editors' Review
CNET Editors' Rating
stars Excellent
- Reviewed by: Gregg Keizer
- Released on:
- Reviewed on:
The good: Hides ports from hackers; retains custom settings after upgrade; slick interface is easy to use; new expert rules for pros.
The bad: No phone support; cumbersome rule-making process.
The bottom line: ZoneAlarm Pro 4.5 is a great firewall for security rookies, but you'll still need a separate antivirus program.
Review: This firewall-cum-security suite--it features the firewall, plus a few privacy tools and a pop-up ad killer, but no antivirus app--now sports expert-style rules that let advanced users fine-tune Internet access privileges, an outbound mail monitor that watches for suspicious activity that could indicate a worm, and a way to report Web intruders. Plus, ZoneAlarm Pro 4.5 remains so easy to use that even a novice can manage it. Not all is rosy, however: there's still no way to call the ZoneAlarm help desk. If you're already using ZoneAlarm Pro, upgrade only if you want access ... Expand full review
This firewall-cum-security suite--it features the firewall, plus a few privacy tools and a pop-up ad killer, but no antivirus app--now sports expert-style rules that let advanced users fine-tune Internet access privileges, an outbound mail monitor that watches for suspicious activity that could indicate a worm, and a way to report Web intruders. Plus, ZoneAlarm Pro 4.5 remains so easy to use that even a novice can manage it. Not all is rosy, however: there's still no way to call the ZoneAlarm help desk. If you're already using ZoneAlarm Pro, upgrade only if you want access to the expert rules. Looking for your first firewall? The always-free ZoneAlarm 4.5 does the trick, but only if you already have antivirus software installed.Download the 4MB ZoneAlarm Pro 4.5, and within five minutes, you can have your guard up. Unlike earlier editions, ZoneAlarm Pro 4.5 now offers you a choice: either download the free version of ZoneAlarm 4.5 and never be bothered again about purchasing the product or try ZoneAlarm Pro for a free 30-day trial. After 30 days, if you're still not inclined to pay $50 to purchase ZoneAlarm Pro, the product reverts to ZoneAlarm 4.5 without the need to reinstall--nor do you see any grayed-out features. No matter which version you choose, ZoneAlarm walks you through the opening configuration with a no-brains-necessary wizard that asks for a few simple choices. Keep clicking the Next button to arm your computer with the default defenses, which should be suitable for most users. Naturally, you can make additional changes at any time.
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Norton Personal Firewall 2004, although they are more difficult to configure. Unfortunately, they still don't let you build rules that limit program access to specific ports or Internet protocols. Nor do we like the cumbersome process that requires you to choose options from pop-up lists while juggling multiple windows.
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Norton Internet Security or McAfee Internet Security instead.
We ran ZoneAlarm Pro 4.5 against Steve Gibson's ShieldsUp port tester. In stealth mode, our PC was invisible to the world, which is good. If hackers can't see your computer on the Internet, they can't get inside.
To test ZoneAlarm Pro 4.5's firewall, we began with IP Agent, a free utility provided by ShieldsUp that determines the test machine's current IP address, then contacts the ShieldsUp Web site to begin testing.
Next, the Port Probe utility from ShieldsUp tested our system's defense against Internet port scanners. The test originates from the ShieldsUp server and attempts to establish standard TCP/IP (Internet) connections on a handful of commonly exploited Internet service ports on the test computer.
Using ShieldsUp, each port gives one of the three following results:
Stealth: This result means that the probe was not able to find this particular port on your computer. This is the most secure result.
Closed: This shows that the probe was able to detect this particular port on your computer but that the connection was refused.
Open: This result means that the port is actively advertising its presence on the Internet. Port scanners will have no trouble finding it.
More information on these tests and what the results mean can be found at ShieldsUp.
More information about how we test firewalls can be found at CNET Labs.Zone Labs still doesn't get it: phone support is a must-have. If you have a problem with ZoneAlarm Pro, you won't be able to call the company. Instead, you can browse a brief online FAQ, send an e-mail message, or rely on the kindness of strangers who host the forums accessed through Zone Labs' Web site. And the online help, which includes some of the program's well-known problems, is skimpy.
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We ran ZoneAlarm Pro 4.5 against Steve Gibson's ShieldsUp port tester. In stealth mode, our PC was invisible to the world, which is good. If hackers can't see your computer on the Internet, they can't get inside.
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To test ZoneAlarm Pro 4.5's firewall, we began with IP Agent, a free utility provided by ShieldsUp that determines the test machine's current IP address, then contacts the ShieldsUp Web site to begin testing.
Next, the Port Probe utility from ShieldsUp tested our system's defense against Internet port scanners. The test originates from the ShieldsUp server and attempts to establish standard TCP/IP (Internet) connections on a handful of commonly exploited Internet service ports on the test computer.
Using ShieldsUp, each port gives one of the three following results:
Stealth: This result means that the probe was not able to find this particular port on your computer. This is the most secure result.
Closed: This shows that the probe was able to detect this particular port on your computer but that the connection was refused.
Open: This result means that the port is actively advertising its presence on the Internet. Port scanners will have no trouble finding it.
More information on these tests and what the results mean can be found at ShieldsUp.
More information about how we test firewalls can be found at CNET Labs.Zone Labs still doesn't get it: phone support is a must-have. If you have a problem with ZoneAlarm Pro, you won't be able to call the company. Instead, you can browse a brief online FAQ, send an e-mail message, or rely on the kindness of strangers who host the forums accessed through Zone Labs' Web site. And the online help, which includes some of the program's well-known problems, is skimpy.
User Reviews
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stars
"Best I've used, bar none, and I'm a network admin." By BorisKevorkian
Pros: This FW has caught and isolated pretty much everything I've thrown at it, including malware calling home that sailed past Avast!, Norton and McAfee on my sandbox. ZA updates automatically before every use. Advanced tasks like NAT are fully supported.
Cons: No cons on the product. One on the company behind it. By default CheckPoint bills your credit card automatically for yearly renewals. This option can be changed on your account page -- if you look carefully enough -- but auto-renewal is high-handed.
Summary: Great product. Good price. Fair customer service through email -- a little slow (~ 24 hours) but adequate, since all FWs are reasonably alike. The best way to get quick support is to hop on ZA's user forum and RTFP ( Read The Fine Postings).
stars
"Support Bad? Don't know. They never respond." By DickMay
Pros: Liked firewall
Cons: Couldn't use enough to evaluate.
Summary: Requested support. No Response. Request they respond to first request. No response. Faxed complaint to corp headquarters. No response. $89 down the drain. Back to Norton.
Specifications
See full specsQuick Specs
- License qty: 1 user
- Version: 4
- License type: Complete package
